How African cycling is closing the gap to traditional cycling nations and creating new pathways for talented athletes.
In this special episode, Neal and Jeff talk to Adrian and Hubert from the Adrien Niyonshuti Cycling Academy which is driving for more inclusivity in cycling and creating new opportunities for African-band riders. Together they explore the challenges facing these athletes, how technology is helping them close the gap to traditional cycling nations, the pathways they're creating for young athletes, and why cycling is exploding on the continent as they get ready to host the Road World Championships in 2025.
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Neal 0:00
Hello, and welcome to a special episode of the knowledge podcast by Wahoo. I'm joined today by coach Jeff Hoobler and two special guests all the way from Rwanda, we've got Adrian and Hubert with us. And we've been working with them now, for boy, it's been about a year and a half or so, yes. In having conversations with the Amani pod project group of which the team Rwanda is part of, and we're really excited to have these two guys with us here to chat about what they're doing. And some of the things that we've tried to do together working to improve access and opportunity for cyclists in Rwanda. And we're really excited about some opportunities to see some of the athletes that they've been working with coming over here to the US a little later this year. So with that, I have a couple questions, because I know a little bit about you guys more just from chatting and working with you over these past, you know, year plus, but really, you're kind of background in the sport, where I'm gonna let each of you you know, tell tell your story a little bit. And I guess we'll start with Adrian, you know, a Adrian will start off alphabetical.
Unknown Speaker 1:15
So no disrespect to you.
Adrean 1:19
I would like to say thank you, first of all, and it's been amazing to be have a Warhol guys to helping the Rwandan cycling. It's kind of amazing cause in the past, we were looking for having kind of material to use on bike and to find where the riders can improve themselves and to find where identification we can analyze the end of the season, how they improve. And unfortunately, we never get that opportunity. Now, half of the year, we had a big opportunity to have you guys to have the computer control and following coaching, you know, on improvement and join on Zwift. It was so, so amazing. And it's you know, I have no word to say about this half year we what we have been achieving for my project anchor with a Hubbert. He is present in Rwanda. And it's been amazing to see the power for the boys, we get a quarterfinal for UCI racing last year, even we miss some couple of things like power meter, just it's amazing to see all the data's and everything. And especially, you know, we go the first two, training Wahoo before the COVID. And in doing the COVID, we had no problem with our training. So that's a big thanks for First of all, for everything, what you have been done, and to helping to have the relationship and to get a sponsorship from you guys. It's amazing. We're,
Neal 3:08
we're excited by the work that that you do. So Adrian, you started racing, what in around 2007 or so is that right? You're back at your first first races that you ever did.
Adrean 3:20
My first race it was to embark the 2003. And it was hard race and without a knowledge about racing, just you know, it was kind of for fun. And my age, I was not supposed to do that race. Kind of the tour of Rwanda 10 stage of our 1200 Kilometer you were how old? I was 16 years old.
Unknown Speaker 3:52
Starting off,
Adrean 3:53
yeah, that's really it was really high. And it's why to have Jeff and new new entry to access more about training for development in Africa and special in Rwanda. It's amazing and so far away last last April on fourth I was in Benin to help national team we have the same problem. One of young rider he was 16 years old. No 17 years old, you know is to junior and he did the coach because he had no and knowledge about UCL racing and they're putting him on wrist to do turf, burnin and he was in the first first group, you know, with the six riders and copper after one stage. Second stage the commenter said no, you have under 17 years old, he's doing the UCL raise 2.2 They kick him out and yeah, they take him out and they ask a coach of national who has the responsibility to write down the wrist? Why you did this? I didn't know that the guy who was still under 17 It should be in an 18 at risk taken all you they can something happen the regime risks and you did a big mistake and you know that is African happened a lot of around is not for one in the back then we still have the same mistake in Benin, and I'm sure even now 12, Cameroon, it's happened. It can be happened for all African racing, we need to wake you guys to find out and how we can develop more cyclists and extend for for age and to know what they can be achieved in future. So it's,
Neal 5:49
yeah, they can develop they're in kind of do the right type of training and the right selection of races. Exactly. age appropriate. Well, you were you snuck in a little early to the highest levels of the sport.
Adrean 6:04
Yeah, I went a high of high level sport on a run and who been running water to team our my restaurant team it was Dimension Data in 20 End of 2017 so I return in 2019 I try for copper racing, gravel race mountain bike race, just not that late in March and it's kind of really nice experience and back Rhonda share with her but we continue helping the development cycle and issue with the agenda neutrality cycling academ and you know, it's not easy just We trying working hard and to find a good road cyclist one day we can have in future some African especial for Ronda, because you come from Ronda, to have some other good cyclists you can write in on high level,
Neal 7:08
definitely. So the Adrian shooty Academy was founded in what year
Adrean 7:13
were found, and I found 2013 Unfortunately, that either it was end of the month Olympia and mountain bike and Rondon 2012 have been Swiss have been in South Africa been around the ward training, you know, catching some techniques, skills and now I see what you're missing in Ronda, I talk to the Federation and talk to the my friend, especially my coach Jack Boyer and Cairo who was a Cairo Austin, he was my coach since I moved to South Africa 2008 So I told him you know, I've been seeing something around the message in in Ronda, it's better we start with young age, we teach them how to ride a bike and when they're growing up they have a fiscal and skills to man started to understand about cycling because when I was in Swiss I can see that young young cyclists or young schools kid in school they they have for like one day or two days they ride a bike on an in school like Thursday or Friday. You know, if someone been Swiss been seeing that and how they learn how to ride in traffic with teachers. You know, it was like emotional to me and say I need to do something back home. And in unfortunate after the Olympics, I start I deal with our Kadhim and we launch the first time it was on 14 May 2013 So I was already try something not just not ready program on program to helping the property how to eat and how to train to have a couple couple of days staying in house you know to have a team house and everything. And from that year 2013 May 13 We often ranch and we have a sponsor with the Quebec, Quebec is South African company charity giving them a bikes school school that people they can walk around in community to go around you know to go shopping and when Rhonda most a kid there, they have to walk with a bucket and things you know, so those kinds of things I was it was a big project you know, even Kobe karate off you know, it's just we're trying to getting in more than more. And unfortunately that it's been paying off to be honest. Because the first winner he came from The first one off drove Rhonda twinset in 2014 he come from my Development Academy and the first girl who ran fiscal black who write the rich won the World Champion girls some kinda some few results in Africa he was I think are top or top three in Africa and continental Chanda actually come from my development and yeah they few riders they come Europa during the continental team they come the most of them they pass through to my academy even now since we join you guys we you know it's like exposure towards a kind of a growing you know, where the riders understand more about training power and understand the heart rate zoning you know, with hubba today doing so amazing you're doing so amazing so does it was like kind of on feedback what do we have been done for anchor no agenda should cycling Academy and for now moment we have to write us in there coming to Europe the next month and now they're racing Benin? No in Cameroon, sorry. And we with a big project with African Rosing. Also we have some other two rather they're coming from Benin. It's you know, cycling is about connection and having a good people or sponsor understand what we need to change in Africa. So it's Yeah, we're excited
Neal 11:41
to be part of the project that you really got going and and Hubert I know you've been instrumental as well. How did you start right away in 2013? Or did did your NASCAR little later? Or did you say hey, I just need to do this. How did you become involved?
Unknown Speaker 11:58
Yes, I would say first of all, Adrian is my uncle.
Unknown Speaker 12:02
So little family connection. Okay, good. Yeah, trust, you know, trust those, you know, right.
Unknown Speaker 12:08
So cycling is like a family gift to us. Because from our grandparents where we're cyclist we're almost in cyclic. So, and one of the team national team members in who is who are racing, the two of Cameroon is our nephew as well. So it is like we are having generations coming up. So the way it starts for me I was much bout in my like, my background is much into software engineering. That's what I do as a profession. So I started as helping Adrian I back in 2016. Because logistics Yeah, things like that i in when the the academics started I was at in high school. And when I was out, I started to help him on social media, working on websites. So that's how it all started was like helping my family member to succeed in his in what he has started. And like we got hit in 2019 That's when actually we realized that it has to be something it is can be something we can work on. Not on our own but which can give future a bright future and with that is our motto actually ain't say Moto is cycling towards a bright future and we are realizing it we have some good stories and like on a regular basis as far as we are sitting here, it is one of those bright futures which which are being created for Rondon. Cyclist but in general, because we are not only looking for running and cycling, but we are looking in a broad way for African cyclists
Neal 13:49
across the entire continent. Absolutely.
Jeff Hoobler 13:51
You guys are doing a lot to lead the way for a lot of people.
Unknown Speaker 13:56
That's what we are trying to do because we we don't look on our own we are trying to set like a pace or give an orientation to others who can come we for example, the way we are doing back home at our center is we are not there and it is the riders themselves who are running the center we have trained them to be to have that capacity to have that mentality to go and do their training and watch out for on the house on Sunday because it is running 24/7 for the Hallmark. So it is up it is for them who is doing it like we attract we have trained them to be to be leaders themselves. Absolutely, absolutely. Because one day they have careers and it is something also we have to talk about because one hour at a given point a career has to end so what will happen after so we want them to be the next managers to be the next directors of the center, even when we are not there. Yet I
Neal 14:56
think that's really important as candidates the You know, infrastructure for cycling in Rwanda has not historically been large, even though you have a phenomenal you know, the tour of Rwanda is is known throughout the world, the cycling world, we understand that it is one of the most amazing events that goes on. The World Championships are coming is coming in 2025.
Unknown Speaker 15:21
No sentence 2525. Yeah, we have like three years now. And so
Neal 15:25
yeah, it's coming close. And again, more of the world will see more of what Rwanda is doing and has done, but there's still less of that historical base. And so I think a lot of what you're doing right now, is huge, and planting those seeds and creating those opportunities. So for this to continue,
Unknown Speaker 15:45
yes, we are not we are looking like in generations to come, we have to set something which will run off that we are not there. Because as you said, history is something beyond because if can go into American cycling history has been there for centuries,
Neal 16:02
if again, yeah, we have at least over 100 years. Yeah.
Unknown Speaker 16:05
For us, this is not the same, even based on our history of what happened in Rwanda. So it is like after 2019. And before we had to rebuild, everything was falling apart. But it has to start again. So if we don't work on something, which now we not go for 10 years, but we go for 50 100 years, that's what we are looking for actually
Jeff Hoobler 16:26
planting the seeds. Absolutely, yes. Yeah, you guys are doing so much to literally plant those seeds, and have those people continued to develop it's yeah, it's quite impressive the way you've gone about.
Neal 16:43
It's a development cycle that, again, will kind of help feed and promote them that next so I'd say tell us a little bit about how many riders right now you have with the academy or kind of how just big picture how the Academy does run,
Unknown Speaker 16:59
I would give a bright future I mean, like it picture on own how it is now, based on what we have seen, because the center is there for now nine years, almost 10 years. So back in the days, we have, we could have begun with let me say not young kids, but those who are a bit old, at 19 years old. And we realized that they could go now for like three to four years. And because of the past what they have been through it is like they can't go more they go to into professional mode, but after three to four years, it is done. So now we have even for according to the UCI World Championship coming, we said we have to start early yesterday out of microwave talking about the barriers which around an African cyclist has to cross even before sit to sit on the bike not racing even before to sit on bike. Yeah, so
Jeff Hoobler 18:04
please, continue. I want to hear what those are. Because I think that there, it's very, very important to
Unknown Speaker 18:10
Yes, so we talking about the talking a little bit about African cycling background. For us currently, the riders we have they have dropped at school in primary level, I don't know if in us we have primary level, but like the the next level to kindergarten sir, like on fifth grade somewhere like that, because of hardship at family in families, you can find a kid who is 15 years old, who is responsible to feed his family. So those are the ones we have been working with. So you you meet him and you are trying to introduce that cycling coaching mentality and all those programs and based on what he has passed through within two years, the body is not responding anymore. So that's why we said we have now to focus on at the age enough so that we can help those young men young women to like to have them before they start to be hardworking that
Neal 19:20
are almost Yeah. Expected adult level that that yes teen in many cases and so yes, if you're not there before that point, the opportunity is pretty limited.
Unknown Speaker 19:34
Yes. And we jumped on one point which I think we've gotten deep and how with those young kids of 1413 years old. This Wahoo system technology all of this is going to help them like to catch up because for example in Rwanda we don't have those many races. We don't have a calendar like say we have a recurrent and now it is you woke up in the third you that next month you have a race So with the Wahoo system with Wahoo, lgt, all those platform for racing and structured training, they are like catch up catching up with the Europeans, the Western world, which have irregular racing calendar. So I would say, going on the point of the what what we are doing in Ronda is we are trying to go on the grassroot because it is where the talent, the talent doesn't start from a junior level, it has to start from Early Edge. Yes. So that's that for now. That's where we are focusing on that's what we want to do. We want to have young people going on bike only just going on bike being introduced on on cycling, and out of 20, we have maybe three or four who were going will be going into professionalism. And for now we have 10. Among 10, we have, actually there are 15, because we have five who are between 14 to 15 years old as that program is beginning. And we have other three juniors. And in last week, two weeks, they won a race the second first and second in the genius category, where our from our center, and we have six Utran three, and we have two elite. So we are like now backsliding into an early age. So that we'd be having like a pool of many, many young kids on bike, who now we will one day become proficient but if we are not going to start on the grassroots, we will be like crossing the same roundabout like going during the semesters. Have what have you, right, that goes to you two and three to elite for one year, and he come back home, just going like that, so that we are trying to use this technology and all of those opportunities you're having now for the young kids.
Jeff Hoobler 21:56
Yeah, and kind of like we spoke about yesterday off off the mic, but and seeing what's available after that. So starting earlier and then showing that you know, it's not just you win one race and you're done. Now you have opportunity to continue to advance and to bring people with you. Yeah, so just out of curiosity so how many you said you had 10 to 15 at the center? How How long have periods do they stay
Unknown Speaker 22:32
for now they're staying full time as we because if they're going back home some of them they are facing more hard working you know you can do hard working in settling but if you are coming from three to four hours training and you get back home and you have to go to fetch what for you know about fetching water but you have to go like two miles four miles getting water for the family and coming back. So it is like your muscle within two years or one year it will be empty enough yes is that fatigue fatigue So, we are trying to have that program where they can come and stay but we because we have the center is limited Of course we are trying to do rotating like one group COMM For tweaks and they go back like four days and we try to exchange so that they don't stay not not because we don't we don't need them to be with their families but we are trying to see beyond we are trying to let them focus on cycling because it is what they have chosen to do it is their career path they have choose to go through so that I think that that's what I can say about it Yeah.
Adrean 23:50
Something I can edit I think Huberty forget just you know when you have interview always is something you know missing. Also even we're focusing on 14 years old to give them excuse about on bike and everything you know we're not forget the education, education Rhonda it's with a cycling it's completely difficult and very different with here in USA or in Europe. Because you know an on school you have a kid they're like running you have a kid they like to ride a bike. They like starting playing football or basketball or volleyball you know in in 10 years you you can start fun the kid what they want to do you know in wonder you can the kid the or when they're growing up after between 10 years to 15 years. This to not choice about no. There is not recreation? Yes No recreation about a cycling or football is not easy. And we have some more sport to ready their restaurant like football or they're trying to go on school and to make like school competition or so they can found the Tarrant in cycling we have not not that opportunity volleyball they have some same program and basketball and running in cycling. It's nothing in school. So it's really really tough. And our project for anchor it's we're sitting with the parent they have a kid when the kid they start say, Okay, we want to be like Adrian, we want to go in center for Adrian, where Huberty can help them to become a cyclist. And we give the phone number or contact and the parent they can contact through to Herbert or send me a message because I'm leaving Italy our kid they want to join onca they find a good they've they've heard about the news, you know, they want to be a good recycler it's like you they you are a role model for them you know something like that and we say okay, so we talk with the parents we find out what they have to give those kids you know, those young kid to ride a bike you know what is interesting? Even the some day parents they have no money to pay the school fees for the kid. And that man searching Huberty pay four or five? Yeah, five kid Scofield
Unknown Speaker 26:42
who are between 13 say they have to live school? No, no, they're in school and you're trying to pay school fees when they introduced at that early age when they're into 1516 They'd be much stronger now to go and focus on cycling.
Adrean 26:58
Yeah, and they come up on Friday is off school. So they have their single speed or BMX the one who live nearby the center the right to the center, they can start understand what wha hoo speed codons and things they can try right there by icon on trainer there they knows about the old things how trogon on Zwift on tablets you know, it's kind of like encouraging the young kid to growing up understand cycling. So without HARVEST CENTER in Rwanda it is very difficult to growing upcycling in Africa it's why we trying in Ronda and now also with the erythroid they cannot find themself on road by excuse we getting a connection with a team a man a team a man is helping them to become a mountain bike rider and a graph rider which is the big disprin in now in the world we can find who had the tyrant who missed the tyrant in a road bike because he grew up without that skills you know to ride the fast you know Europen you read an unsung their corner you go over 95 per hour and on gravel you can have that little skills to go real biz faster and you have enough endurance to win the race and have a successful and have fun for mountain bike I hope one day we will have one or two again or MPR riders you know so it's not about focusing on on road bike it's focusing on different angle with different skills the boys they can Gert and we can we have Sonia who finished the score he was rider and he can catch up the speed and skill on bike and now is paying off with his skills to be a Sonia to be a massager for the kid on the team you know and we have some mechanical they have been on cycling they can not get enough skills to be a good a good cyclist and we try them to help excuse to become a mechanical so it's like those opportunities to associate and associate
Neal 29:38
positions and
Adrean 29:39
it's a big it's a big program just it's hard to run
Unknown Speaker 29:45
without but possible.
Neal 29:48
Jasper I ever made it to the highest level. So you know I worked as a more as a coach Jeff actually experienced from senior up through into the Oh, Jane.
Jeff Hoobler 30:00
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And that's,
Neal 30:03
yeah, it's exciting to know that you guys are not just thinking about the one, piece two, which again, is very important, but
Jeff Hoobler 30:13
but there are other subcomponents. Yeah, for sure.
Neal 30:17
And ways that people can be involved and help build and continue to expand what you have observed and what you offer and how you can have an impact. I'm certainly make it sustainable,
Unknown Speaker 30:28
sustainable, that's the point. Make it sustained. That's what we are looking because we don't want to find ourselves running it for two years and three years. Exactly.
Neal 30:38
I mean, you've been doing this for nine years. And yeah, there's a world championship coming to your home in three years, but it's not like 2026 Like, okay, we, you know, we did everything we wanted, right you are working for,
Unknown Speaker 30:50
you can understand how it works, you can understand how it feels like Adrian was an Olympian on mountain bike in 2012. And up to now, how many years now? 10. There is none against was able to go in Olympics. So that's why we have to bridge that gap accurate is it is I have never seen like USA or Billy jam missing.
Neal 31:17
Yeah, we've had smaller numbers in say, like the Velodrome but still, you know, we had to, I think, in 2016, and in the road race, but still two is infinitely more than zero, right. And so, what you've done and showing what is possible, I think, is also important. And as we see, I think a little bit more success in the peloton in the professional ranks from other riders from, you know, being here in here recently. I mean, my gosh, that's fantastic. But it should just be the entry. And we should see, you're seeing a lot more in the coming years.
Jeff Hoobler 31:57
Yeah. So Adrian back on that or Hubert rather, back on that topic of the kids coming through the camp, have you had any any folks yet that have gone through the program and then come back to help out with that? Or?
Unknown Speaker 32:17
Yes, for example, the example he gave off the Sonia, we have now, who is a who is also starting as well as coach for those young kids. Yes, he was he was also a cyclist, but at one point, he got back problem in back pains and it lasts for wrong and says, Let me stop. So he continued into the professionalism as a Sonia and now he's like he's been off but we, it has not been something like structured, I would say it happens by accident. But you see, like, this is like a startup when you are in a startup, like you try a lot of things until when you you have like some buttons, which now or not, are now working. That's why we said with this current generation, which is there, for example, for those elites, I for example, there again, I start to give them some of them some responsibilities, for example, to be the stock manager of the center, like to make sure the stock doesn't run out. One another one is, is he's a manager for like a property make sure everything is clean and resume or it is where it has to be stored. So, I would say we now it is it is structured for now, back in the days, it could be like happen by accident, for example, that kid, but for now, it is like as as far as you are going into getting old, you have to have something you are responsible of. So that when you are going out, for example, for professionalism, but when you are back, you will be able to catch up, we'll be able to catch up and still come and do you become as the stock manager for the center and you are going to help those young kids one you have experience on the bikes and you have experience on another field which is very important you can imagine if you can bring someone who is like good in administrative but has nothing to do with segni he has never been on bike he has never like got into cycling it he at one point he will destabilize the technical part, but for us what we want is someone who knows administrative part but also who has some background who enjoy cycling and some passion, some passion of course, which which will pay off because it will it will it will not be like okay, you you write the you are out of training now come and do that hard work and when that rider need time to rest, it needs to recover. So it will it will always be important to have that now
Jeff Hoobler 34:52
we are in the community around cycling. Yeah, yes. And
Unknown Speaker 34:56
those people who are capable. Yes. Yeah,
Neal 35:01
from some of the work that we've done together in terms of talking about training, and having a purpose is definitely been one of those things and you use, you know, the system. app as part of this where we, you know, the testing with the full frontal to identify, you know, what riders are capable of where their talent levels are, as well as then how they're progressing. You've also added some things on your own, right you the website that you've shared, that is able to show what what talent is out there, what opportunities, what riders, you know, what they're doing, where their history of, of some of these tests that that we do within the app bar, and you're doing a really good job of actually, again, providing that exposure to the world.
Unknown Speaker 35:45
Yeah, I think that's the point we have to now stick on because I'm very much interested into technology not because I just I love technology, but now I have realized it is it is like bridging some gaps, which will were there for quite a few years, like not few many years. For example, to Let's Talk tell the world about the Wahoo system, oh system is a complete I can say it is a complete, structured workout training program, with from, from training, to yoga, to strength, training, everything. So I would say if I can give like a short example of what has been happening since we started, because every time we had a virtual training, I could go I think I have been asking you a lot of questions and trying to write programs which, which are in accordance to the according to the academy. So now all the riders we have are now on Strava. That's, that's that's a good point, which means they can now go right. But again, like be able to upload be able to go through the their training. Now. They all understand the numbers. Yeah, we chose Round Two for the P everyone has now understand, it's like we have done now. For a year. Now we have done two to three tests. One, the first test, I was like telling them one, point by point, what do I have to do? Second Test? I was like a bit. Now they're like, looking a bit observed? Yes, directly. The third one was like everyone was now like, on all those four sections was like knowing exactly what they have to do. And after what they say how many words do I have improved, which means technology have now they have has helped them now understand where they are, and where they have to go? It is like now each one has knows his heart level like the max the zones. When, for example, I had one kid was coming out of training and said oh, now I have goes to 200 heartbeats heart rate. Yes. So which means technology with these Wahoo system. Now, again, we follow the trucks that we made a plan during the COVID time, we're not allowed to go outside. And we were we are focused on Oahu system, that's where we were training to our three hours, it was like now, they can now understand structured training, I would say that will bring us to the other point of starting early, if you introduce that system to a kid or 15 years before even he goes into juniors for two years. And by chance he goes to he gets a chance to go to US or Europe, it he will it will not be something new to have a structure training, it will not be something new to tell him to everyday to focus on his what we're doing in the morning, or on the coastline. Also training, it will be like something they have been used to. And it is like now changing the environment and going to that professionalism. That's why I say honestly, the system is paying off. I will be honest with that.
Jeff Hoobler 39:07
That's fantastic. And you know, it brings me back to something that you said about bridging the gaps. And is first we have to understand what the gaps are and you know, touched on one of those things. There's just familiarity and the education of you know, what do these numbers mean? And then start to integrate them into the training and and go from there. So you guys have done an amazing job with that.
Unknown Speaker 39:35
I have been trying some some hard work which was every time had meeting I was trying to I know they have not been at school and by the way talking about our our our our history, it is not because we are very proud of where we are as Africans, it is very fine. Because it is it is history. There is nothing we can do about history we can there's nothing we can do. About what happened, what has happened or what which is happening, the problem is like what is going to happen next. That's why we are trying our best to give that bright future to those kids. And that's where I'm coming from as well. So, we are very proud of those difficulties not because like, Africans, we are, we are, we know we are behind, but we are very proud of it. But as far as we are working on it, so I was going to point keep talking about the system. It is like fine, you got you got that kid who, like he's coming back from, and what I was talking about the complex work I had to do is he has never been at school, he doesn't talk that good English to be able to go and read those numbers. So, what for me what I have to do is to convert to translate those complex, I would say they are somehow complex and LLB capacity, things like that, I always try to understand them, and be able to convert into the language they can understand for now, as far as they are going to keep on studying, they will be able to get to a one point to be able to understand on themselves. But for now, I have like to go back and have to make it very easy, very easy for them to understand the four DP
Neal 41:24
Absolutely, it is complex, you know, idea, and then putting it in a way that they can understand
Unknown Speaker 41:31
they can at least make not just go and push but why why
Neal 41:37
truly what you're doing what
Unknown Speaker 41:39
we what will be the results for your career, what would be the results for you, on your body, and like, so I would say it is paying off really
Neal 41:50
well, we're we're very happy that you guys are are where you're at, in terms of having that goal to impact others and to spread what what we you know, what we love about cycling, and ways we know there's hard work as a part of it. But there's also, you know, a joy, pure joy in in it in different ways. And so we're really happy to be a part of that process that you guys are are enacting and creating significant change. So that's
Jeff Hoobler 42:27
one thing that I wanted to mention, as well, as you know, you talk about what you've learned, but quite frankly, we we've learned a tremendous amount about, you know, what are the gaps that we need to bridge? What are the things that we need to do better to deliver information, deliver good training, and help people be good humans, you know, to be healthy, not just good writers, which is obviously one of the things that we're trying to do, but to really enhance their lives. And you guys have been tremendous in providing information and saying, here's what we need. And you know, I keep coming back to this. This thing that stood out to me, when we spoke, it was probably over a year ago. And you were you were explaining to me how you were trying to get a writer to go just a little bit harder. And there's no word for that. And it was either zero or full gas. And that got me to thinking about how we need to reframe some of these complex terms and how we need to adapt our language to get the information across. And so with that, I I just want to say that it's it's been a learning and enriching process for us as well.
Unknown Speaker 44:03
Absolutely. Yeah. That's how it is because there is as we have been talking about the history, even the way I mean for example, talking about the climate tonight here in Colorado, I was going back home in like at 8pm. It is already dark here it was somehow Sun was was just say shining. So I would say that that's that's a very important point because for example, in Rwanda, we don't have winter, we don't have snow, I will be honest, I got I wrote in snow for the very first time here. So all of those points. It is good to understand I mean to learn about African cyclists, because the metabolism of their body how it functions, it will be much much different from from From the Western world based on where they are based on where they are coming. So I would say, we will keep working on, we will keep working together to have those different technologies, which can help us to understand the differences between there is difference in races in opportunities, that's fine. But also, like how, how is the app, the adaptability of African cyclists, when they are into professionalism, so if I can keep on if I can keep on insisting on the idea of starting at any age, you have data for a young rider at 14 years old, you have his data, it is the end, you you will again, like you keep on getting his data on a regular basis, until he goes into professional is coming here to Europe. So now you will have like a bunch of that way you can learn where he where he started from, and where he's going, which was the difference before we before we get started, we before we get to introduce technology into what we are doing now about the hoops or those kinds of stuff. We will have a writer who goes and Wintour founder of the total front it comes it goes to Dimension Data, he got that chance to go into professionals. But if you want to go back to his history, where he started from in cycling, you have nothing. And for now you can see like you have something to start from until when you go he goes into the professionalism and say, Wow, he has improved very quickly and he has adopted quickly. So that is like a learning point. There is a learning point through this technology.
Neal 46:38
For sure. And yeah, it's it's easier to help continue to guide moving forward having an understanding of what you've done and where you've been to understand and plan a good trajectory, a good path. Yes,
Adrean 46:51
for sure. Or something I can add. It's like an in back day in Rwanda. I think I was one, there are the who got the pro computer bike with the heartrate. And there was really only one who can understand the cut downs and heart rate and things. So now we have a good chance to have Wahoo warp and everything you know, computer bikes in power meter when they're riding on Zwift you know, your trainer, guys, the trainer we got in Rondo with a wahoo it's with a power meter, they can slow the car down, they can see everything. And in the back days when you have run and rider no one understand the cadence no one understand RPM, you know, it's, it's kind of like we been far away. Just now we have just Creek you're like we are there now. They are growing up understand everything on cycling, you know. And it's been just 2020 2019 we got our first Wahoo trainer 2020 2020 2020 in February. And now we have more 10 riders 1510 to 15 riders, they're using Wahoo system, we're going hope we'll get a computer trainer, we get a while trainer where they can put it on the bike when we're not there. They can log in goes to drift and train, they can go to the system up or they can do walk out they can take we have the we have the tablet where they can log in, they know the coordinates and he can put the username and everything they can do the stretch, stretching even we're not there to give them what to do day by day. So it's like just for two years there. You know that it shows you Africa they have a talent for many things. Just they cannot get that opportunity with Metro is here in USA or in our in Europe or in Asia. So it's kind Yeah, suddenly just we just say Yeah. And also with our talk about education, I think Herbert he got his best in on education in high school, in one is also made in one is not easy to get the best at education in high school, because they cut off the in primary school. And I remember when Jacque come to Rwanda 2007 2000 He first come to southern sixth, Jacque Boyer who decide to move to Rwanda and some my teammate. You give them a passport and yellow fever. They don't even how to write it down to fill up the Immigration paper. I honestly, yeah, so we must talk about all and Buche de and now we have 15 years old you give him a passport with yellow fever you know, just to South Africa for training camp, you don't need to be sent with a coach or someone who get them where to pass the you know, so it's kind the anchor and you guys what you're doing to help to help the development in Africa. It's paying off to be honest, it's paying off because each rider who has a computer bike now he with heartrate monitor he can reading what zone one, zone two zone three, he knows what the percentage on his zone he can improve you know, it's it's kind of rare amazing cause otherwise they've been it's like they have no that opportunity and when you like closing gap to come to Europe, they give you a Garmin they give you a wow.
Used you just you know how they shows you have a cable and the charger to charge and on on a bike and Kochi control everything for you. You does it if he told you it's today to zone one, one hour easy coffee ride useful for you just zone three, zone four, zone five. And you come back from the training coach Garin your, your, your control monitor, where you've been why you're training, guys, why you're training for guys. And right, I cannot talk to you. So in the end, after one year spent in USA, or US bending Europe, the coach can Oh, what is can African cyclists they says, Are they tolerant with all the database on Zwift or on Wall trainer in a threshold he was his number is very good and just mindset to understand what is very important. And they and afterward on bike and out off the bike and how it's no way and you have this wha hoo you have the computer training you have the the riders who already understand about what he needs to improve in on his skills is it's much better to understand growing up on edge to reach on that under 23 and a rate they can continue or continue to improving a lot on skiers on bike and off out of the bike.
Unknown Speaker 52:54
Adrian has triggered something that remember accurate is not two years, if I remember what it is one year now, like we got our first smart trainer Wahoo smart trainer in March last year. So just a March last year. So I will be honest in one a lot in within one year. We have three riders who were selected for the qualification qualifiers for esport UCI World Championship Yeah, we because of those external because of the cheating that you say required to have an external parameter. So we didn't have so they were all they were all like not been selected because the the process was a bit complex button was a bit complete complex, but as far as they were selected for qualification not because not as an invitation now know based on the research that has done on Yes, so, you can imagine all of those things which happened within one year, Adrian talked about something very important. Back in the days no one no one could understand about cadence or RPM BPM per watt just for in con and within one year. Now, we have quite a number of riders who understand who knows how to connect the heartrate to be honest for you, you will you will think that is something easy, but it is not because and all of these thanks to the support and technology we are now closing closing that gap we are bridging that gap which means what he said a rider is going to come out of Africa like have been having access to all of that he will come here to not be like something new to it to got to see the heartrate a computer by to be like I have been using this. I remember when I was in high school, Adrian, we could be together. And he was like, Oh, I have to upload my workouts. Every time coming out of training. I said what is that? So like now we have 15 riders who every time can Meanwhile, I can show you my Strava like, I got notification every time they are like uploading the workouts, their workout session, like on a regular basis. And I would say within one year, we have seen a tremendous changes. So project now how how to be if we are going to keep on this pace working on this pace, how to run in Africa will be in 2025 to not be like other years to be like, yes, we have been using these we have gone into different programs now to it will be like, it is not gonna be something new. But if you're going to keep on for two years now, I'm very sure maybe the results will not be that tremendous, but at least if maybe you can have some records in bad days, but in the future that time to be a bit different than what would be always a difference compared to what we have been saying.
Jeff Hoobler 56:00
Yeah, you know, what you've what you've said there is they now have those basic skills, the bit that that all the skills that they need, and now we can start working on even bigger concepts. And you know, how to get the most out of the training? And yeah, that's what that's one of the things, you know, from a coaching side that we are really interested in, how can we be even more effective now that we've given or now, people have the tools? Right, and an understanding of how to use them? What's the next step?
Neal 56:37
Yeah. Definitely excited to continue to work with you guys and have more coaches that are, you know, kind of playing a role that we play, but that a right there for you. Yeah, your community that are part of your academy that are available. That's what so that can you know, when you have, you know, two people doing something you can do a lot when you have four people you can do at least twice as much. You have 10 people let the scale of growth is
Unknown Speaker 57:07
yes. This April, we're in Benin for three weeks. And we we did a test of how many 30 Kids in Benin for DP I know it went it is the for the very first time you don't get accurate numbers as these because it is something new for them. It is always that's how it is. But as far as we introduced them. in Benin, we introduced that system, they will host system, it is going to top it is happening in one that is happening in Kenya, it's happening in Uganda, it's happening in Benin. So tell me within three years to be like the whole Africa will be connected into one platform, which can which can like which is complete, which has all the necessary this morning, you are showing us something that is all of us, even to Adrian to, to all of us towards knew about understanding. For example, there is something about not stressing, stressing much about stretching, it's not only about stretching, but for us. To be honest with the I always thought that stretching is it has to be done. But for now, I would say that it's something new has come to my mind, which means as far as we went to Benin and help them. We there are some we by the way we trained 10 coaches, fantastic. I did with them a week, full week of training about what was system how it works. The very few I know about it, I shared with them. So now they can like as far as they are going to keep on practicing on the system, there will be at beyond a be able to understand those 10 will be going back in their communities because they don't live together all of them. One live in North two in South Sudan, we will be going back to their communities. It is happening. It is going to happen in Benin, West Africa is going to be like some explosion. Exposure exciting.
Unknown Speaker 59:07
Well, with that, I think maybe we'll let you guys get back to the work
Neal 59:13
of helping to create a brighter future.
Unknown Speaker 59:16
Absolutely. Cycling towards a bright future. I like that. Yes.
Neal 59:22
It's fantastic. Absolutely.
Unknown Speaker 59:22
Thank you so much for the opportunity. I would say you don't know how much the CD was you so you don't know how much the is going to go? I mean, this is going to be big enough. I'm very sure no even for us as fate. We began this as just some family stuff. But now it is becoming a new organization which is running on a regular basis. So I would say it is going to be every it is going to have great impact positive one. Excellent. Thank you so much. Thank you so much.
Neal 59:58
Thank you for leading the way And, Adrian,
Adrean 1:00:01
thank you so much. It's it's been amazing. You know, it's been amazing because in Africa, we have so many things we are missing in cycling, and to have Waho, and you guys are a coach, just on on an interview and on following up and have the orders come the kind of material to use it. It's been paying off very, very quick for opportunity to give the riders and to understand about cycling and in future if we continue good relationship, I think we will surprise people around the world.
Neal 1:00:54
Great. Looking forward to those phrases. We're looking forward. All right. Well, that is it for another episode of the knowledge podcast by wha hoo. Thank you again, so much Adrian and Hubert for joining us and we will catch you next time.
Adrean 1:01:14
Thank you